According to the information provided by Thane GRP, 15-20 cases of mobile theft are registered daily. Given the numbers, they have deployed detection teams at various spots

Local train comes to a newly opened platform at Parel in Mumbai, India, on Sunday, June 17, 2018. (HT File Photo)

On Wednesday, Thane Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested a man accused of stealing a mobile from a commuter travelling on a train at Kalwa station, on August 19. The victim, Chetan Ahirrao, 35, fell off the train following the theft and died.

Ahirrao had come from Nasik to meet his friend and was heading to Diva railway station.

“Ajay Solanki, 19, the accused, is a resident of Kalwa. He had snatched the mobile phone from the victim’s hand while the train was passing the station. Later, the victim, who was standing on the footboard, lost his balance and fell from the train. He died on the spot,” said an officer from Thane GRP.

“The victim had come from Nashik and was staying at Diva. After meeting his friend at Thane station on August 19, he was returning to Diva. It was around 1am when the incident took place at Kalwa station,” said R Shirtode, senior police inspector, Thane GRP.

“After the case was reported, GRP scanned the CCTV footage to confirm what had taken place before the victim fell off the train,” said a Thane GRP officer.

“A case has been registered against Solanki under sections 304 and 397 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The accused was produced in court and will be remanded in police custody till September 3,” said Shirtode.

According to the information provided by Thane GRP, 15-20 cases of mobile theft are registered daily. Given the numbers, they have deployed detection teams at various spots.

“Since last two to three months we have bought down the daily cases of mobile theft to below 10. Police have been deployed in civil dress in local trains and platforms. We also check the CCTV footage regularly to identify movement of robbers,” said a senior officer from Thane GRP.